Lindsay paced through her chamber, having overseen the preparations for the feast that would be held that night. She was not entirely sure that she had done a single thing except watch the very capable women doing what they had done for every feast her family had ever held.

"Melanie!"

As soon as the name left her lips, the young woman was rushing into her room, a weary expression on her face. "Yes milady?"

"Melanie, I would like to wash for the feast tonight. Could you have the water brought up?"

Melanie smiled and lowered her head, "Of course madam."

Lindsay undressed as she waited for the water. Usually her maid would do such a thing, but Melanie was new. She had been something of a gift from her husband. Lindsay believed that the woman was related to Brian in some way. Obviously not a close relation, seeing as how she was now a servant.

Within the hour, the water was poured into the small wash tub. Melanie began to withdraw, when Lindsay called to her. "Don't go. I need someone to wash my back." The honey-skinned girl paused at the door, looking uncertain. "Come along. I don't bite." Melanie lowered her eyes and nodded. Soon, she was on her knees beside the tub, sponging Lindsay's back with a scrap of cloth. "Hmm... That feels wonderful. Thank you." Melanie remained silent. Lindsay glanced up at her and saw her studying Lindsay intently. "What?"

Melanie looked flustered for a moment. "O-oh...I was admiring milady's skin. So white...like fresh milk. So beautiful. You're so beautiful."

Lindsay blushed. "Thank you. You are beautiful as well." She reached up and brushed Melanie's soft cheek with her knuckles.

Melanie smiled shyly and stood. "If that is all..."

Lindsay nodded quickly. "Yes. You may go now."

As the woman slipped from the room, Lindsay sank further into the basin, working to relax while there was still a bit of warmth in the water.

As she closed her eyes, she wondered if she carried Brian's child yet. If not, then she prayed that she might conceive soon. Though her husband was a virile man - amazing, handsome, and kind when he wanted to be - she had yet to find pleasure in their intimacy. But he was want of an heir. And as her mother refused to allow her to forget, she was the only woman that could give him that.

She wondered if she might feel differently sharing a bed with another. Perhaps someone like -

Before she could finish the thought, a deep voice growled from the doorway. "Good evening."

Startled by the unexpected voice, Lindsay sprang from the tub and pulled her robe in front of her. "God's blood, Brian! Could you at least knock and announce your presence before you enter?"

"This is my chamber, dear wife."

She gritted her teeth at his teasing tone and smiled. "Of course."

"Did you see to the preparations for the feast?"

She balled her fists. Could he not even trust her to do such a simple task? "Yes of course." She crossed to the large bed and fingered her gown. She cursed herself for forgetting that she would need help with the bodice. Melanie was surely already long gone. "Would you mind helping me with this?"

Brian reluctantly assisted her with the laced strings after watching her struggle into the tight fitted dress. The sight of her near nakedness should have distracted him. Brian admitted that she was spectacular. Beautiful and buxom. Every man's desire. Yet all he could think of was the blonde boy. "Your Justin is quite,...bold." he began.

She looked over her shoulder and finally smiled a smile that reached her eyes. Brian frowned, seeing her reaction to the man's name. "He often speaks before thinking, so you must pay attention to only a quarter of what flows from his mouth. But he does mean well."

Brian turned away from her and stood before the fire. Lindsay watched him closely, for a sign that might indicate what was running through his thick Scottish head. Quickly she turned her mind to other matters, thinking that perhaps it was better not to know.

***

The Lord and Lady entered the hall together, ever the beautiful pair. Lindsay with her long flowing flaxen hair and classic profile somewhat dwarfed in size by the taller man with his chiseled good looks, that walked slightly in front of her.

Justin stood along with the other men and watched the couple pass. Though Lindsay smiled brightly at him, McKinnon simply tossed a bored glance his way before pressing on and taking his seat at the head of the table.

"Home but an hour and already you have made a sparkling first impression I see."

Justin smirked and turned to face the voice that was drawing him out. "Ethan," he said in greeting. "I had assumed you tucked tail and ran for greener pastures after leaving us."

The young shaggy haired man in front of him simply laughed and looked down at his leg which was still covered in bandages. "You should know better sir. Just because I am out of the fight, do not think that the fight is out of me."

"Good to hear." Justin crossed the short distance between them and embraced the man quickly. "And good to see you again, my friend."

"Not quite as good as it is to see you. You have no idea how horrid it is, being around all of these women all damnable day long!" Just then, one of the serving women passed behind them and smacked Ethan in the shoulder for the comment. "See what I mean." Ethan motioned towards the two empty places at the table and together they sat. "I was glad to hear of your victory in the last battle. Though I am deeply pained to hear the news of your father's...departure."

Justin looked at his full plate, the grand meal looking far too unappealing for someone with his fierce appetite. He worked to pull his mouth into a semblance of a smile, but failed miserably. "No more than I." After several long seconds, Justin swallowed his emotion and grinned. "Onto happier subjects. I have heard your name mentioned several times today. Something about an approaching marriage."

"Ah yes." Ethan's entire demeanor changed. With a sigh, the other man was lost in another world. "The fair Elise."

"This would be the same...‘fair Elise' that has hated you for as long as I can remember?"

"That is in the past. It would seem that a being skewered with a sword and visiting death's doorstep is the key to turning a lady's head."

Justin laughed and patted Ethan's back. "I'll remember that, should ever I find a head that I need turned."

Ethan nodded, wisely remaining silent. The topic of women had never been a very comfortable one when it came to Justin. The man showed no interest in the fairer sex, beyond Lady Lindsay. And Ethan would not even dare to broach the subject of that, fearing that Justin might actually be pining for the newly married woman. No. He did not want, nor need, to carry the knowledge of any misdeeds his friend might be conjuring up in his mind should he pursue Lindsay the way he once had.

"I believe I shall retire early," Justin pushed his plate away and stood.

Ethan frowned. "But this celebration is for you and your men's return. You cannot leave so soon."

Justin looked around the table at the men in question. The meal had barely begun and the same soldiers that only hours before had been bone weary from fight and travel, were now laughing boisterously. Drunk on wine and the presence of their women, to be sure. For a moment he wanted so badly to be that carefree. To be able to drown out his thoughts and feelings and worries with such simple pleasures. But he knew better. No wine, nor woman could make his demons flee. "I am tired. It was quite a long journey home. And I have no need to celebrate my return. My only need is for a good night's sleep."

"Go then, and take your well-deserved rest." Ethan stood and again embraced the man that he had come to consider his brother. "Tomorrow we train."

Justin shook his head. "No rest for the weary."

"Rest waits for death," Ethan inclined his head, bidding him farewell.

‘Rest waits only for death.' Justin let the words tumble through his mind. His father had made a habit of saying this should the soldiers begin to tire in the fight. Once they had been words of inspiration. Now...now the words merely haunted him.

With a small farewell smile for Lindsay, who was looking at him with worry in her eyes, Justin backed out of the hall and made his way out of the castle.

He had every intention of going straight to his family's cottage. His grandmother, his dearly departed mother's mother, would welcome him in and give him a dry place to sleep. Yet, he found himself drawn farther away from the village and towards the stream at the bottom of the hill.

His mind filled with images of his youth. The times that he and Lindsay had escaped from their mothers only to run to this very spot where too many to count. Two towheaded children wading into the gentle flow of the water. Sometimes following the stream into the forest and down to the small pool that the water emptied in to. If only childhood could have lasted forever. That he might be free again to run and do as he liked. Dictates from his father in their home seeming much easier to take than the angry demands of a lord and leader on the battlefield.

Ah but his father...his father had been both. Father and leader. Leader more so than father. Yet Justin had respected him as both and loved him as both. And in the end...he had been betrayed by both.

The men that rallied around the Winterberry come McKinnon banner, had been shocked and disheartened at the knowledge that their leader was a traitor. None more than Justin himself. The men had nearly slaughtered him in the fight, unsure as to which side he was on.

Would he remain loyal? Or would he choose to go on with his father?

Even his father knew the answer to that. The man had sired him. Raised him. Taught him right from wrong. His father had shown him the high value placed on loyalty. You fought and you died for your homeland and your family and that was a man's lot in life. Even if he no longer believed in it, he knew that his son would stand tried and true with his clan.

Apparently, this had occurred to at least one of the men, because in the final moments of battle he had been spared and had led the charge against the remaining enemies, driving them back into the forests of their own land.

As he kneeled and dipped his fingers into the ice cold liquid of the stream, he heard a twig snap behind him. Lindsay. She was the only one that would know where to find him. "You give yourself away too easily." He stood and studied the current to where it disappeared into the dense thicket. "If only it were light. We could follow the water to the pools. Swim in them as we did once."

"Surely not. We haven't even been properly introduced."

Justin's mouth gaped open and slowly he turned his head, his eyes meeting with the stranger's. "I do apologize. I thought you..."

"You thought I was Lady Lindsay," the woman stated matter-of-factly. The color drained from Justin's face and her features softened just a bit. "Why are you not still at the feast?"

"I have no want to celebrate. No desire to eat."

"So you come here? Sit in the darkness? A bit odd, I should think."

"Yet you are also here. Why are you not at the feast?"

The woman gave him a sparkling smile that lit up her face. "Alas...I am merely a servant." She folded his arms across her midsection and Justin grinned.

"We are all servants here, milady. Or hadn't you heard?"

The woman laughed. "I can see why she likes you."

"Who is that?"

"Milady...Lady Lindsay. She speaks of you often. And very highly of you as well." There was a wistfulness in her voice that made Justin's heart ache. Though he had no idea why.

"Well you obviously know who I am. May I have the pleasure of learning your name?"

The woman blushed, and though Justin had thought it impossible, she became even more beautiful. "Pardon my manners, sir. I am Melanie. Lady Lindsay's maid."

Justin made a proper bow. "It is an honor to meet you, Lady Melanie."

Melanie grinned and curtsied. "And it is an honor to meet you, Sir Justin."

Their eyes locked and held, and Justin wondered if perhaps he hadn't just found what he had been looking for.

To Be Continued...